Australia tops Mexico, maintains lead in Group A

Australia tops Mexico, maintains lead in Group A
11/07/2018

Australia kept alive its winning streak today with a six-inning, 8-1 victory over Mexico, to remain on top of the standings in Group A. The Australian pitcher Layton Reid had a stellar outing, pitching a 1-hit game with 15 strikeouts.

Australia kept alive its winning streak today with a six-inning, 8-1 victory over Mexico, to remain on top of the standings in Group A. The Australian pitcher Layton Reid had a stellar outing, pitching a 1-hit game with 15 strikeouts.

Australia took the lead in the top of the first episode; Jeremy Waters walked and Joshua Bond followed with a single. Three pitches later they both advanced with a stolen base and then scored on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly to right field respectively.

In the third inning Australia built another multiple-runs inning. Bond singled to right field, Michael Ludkin walked, and Keenan Smith was hit by pitch to load the bases; then Bolton Nussbaum singled up the middle to produce two more runs for the Junior Aussie Steelers, and finally Dawson Summers hit an RBI single, to make the score 5-0.

Australia went for the long ball against Mexico

Mexico scored their only run of the game in the top of the fourth without even touching the ball. Jorge Lopez struck out but reached first on a dropped third strike by catcher Jacob Donaldson. A few pitches later he stole second base, and advanced in another dropped strikeout. He crossed the plate on a wild pitch to make the score 5-1.

The game ended in the sixth when Australia scored the three runs needed to clinch the victory. Australia had loaded the bases with two outs, and then Ludkin reached on an infield hit to produce the sixth run for his team. Keenan Smith walked to add one more, and then Nussbaum connected to the left field to end the game.

With this win Australia remains as leader in Group A, with a perfect record of 4-0, along with Japan. Tomorrow they will play against South Africa, at 15:00 local time.

In the other hand Mexico is now 2-2 tied in the third position of the Group with Argentina. Precisely this two teams will meet tomorrow at 20:00.